Nut for stringed musical instruments



p 1940- R. FURGIUELE 2,214,957

NUT FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Dec. 29, 1939 In ventor A torneys Patented Sept. 1 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NUT` FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful inprovements in nuts for stringed musical instruments, particularly Hawaiian guitars and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to level the upper surfaces of all of the strings regardless of different sizes and arrangements thereof for assuring uniform contact by the steel, thus greatly improving the tone of the instrument in addition to facilitating the playing thereof.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a nut of the aforementioned character which may be expeditiously mounted for use on a conventional instrument without the necessity of making structural alterations therein.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a nut for Hawaiian guitars and other stringed musical instruments which will be comparatively simple in Construction, strong, durable, compact, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further cbjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figur-e 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a stringed instrument equpped with a nut constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the device, taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a ragmentary view in vertical section, tak-en substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral l designates the outer porton of the neck of a conventonal Hawaiian guitar which is provided with the usual rets 2. At its outer end, the neck I terminates in a head 3 provided with winding keys, etc., 4 for adjusting the tension of the strings 5.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprlses what may be considered a base bar 6 of suitable metal which is adapted to be mounted on the usual nut 'I of the instrument. Retaining fingers 8 depend from one side of the bar 6 for engagement with the corresponding side of the usual instrument nut 1. The bar 6 is triangular in cross section.

Rigidly mounted on the bar 6 is a pair of spaced, parallel upper bars 9 which are also of substantially triangular cross section. Integral Webs ID rigidly connect the bars 6 and 9. It will be observed that the apices of the upper bars 9 are disposed lowermost for engagement with the strings 5 of the instrument. It will also be noted that the apex of the bar 6 is located intermediate the vertical planes of the bars S and has formed therein, intermediate the webs H), spaced notches ll for the reception of the strings 5. The apices of the bars 6 and 9 are in substantially the same horizontal plane and are somewhat rounded to avoid cutting the strings 5 This is illustrated 'to advantage in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

It is thought that 'the manner in which the device functions Will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefiy, the device is mounted on the usual nut 'I of the instrument and the strings 5 are inserted therethrough and tightened inthe usual manner. As the left hand bar 9, as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawing, presses downwardly on the strings 5 the upper surfaces of said strings will be leveled regardless of the size or arrangement of said strings thereby assuring uniform contact with the steel when the instrument is being played. The three point contact provided by the bars 6 and 9 causes the device to be held firmly in position on the nut 'I by the strings 5. If desired, the device may be mounted for use on the fret board of the instrument on one of the frets 2. That is, the retaining fingers 8 may be engaged With one of the frets 2. Also, the use of the device as a permanent nut on an Hawaiian guitar, rather than as an auxiliary nut, is contemplated.

It is believed that the many advantages of a nut for stringed musical instruments constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of Construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the device may be mounted adjacent the usual bridge (not shown) of the instrument for leveling the strings 5 at this end of said instrument. To facilitate use of the device in this manner the retaining fingers 8 may be eliminated. Also, while the element 6 as illustrated is substantially triangular in cross section, said element 6 may be of any other suitable cross sectional shape, such as circular, semicircular, etc.

What is claimed is:

A nut for musical instruments of the type in cluding a neck and a plurality of strings over said neck, comprising a bar of substantially triangular cross section adapted to be mounted on the instrument beneath the strings, the apex of said bar having a piurality of notches therein for the r-eception of the strings, a pair of spaced, parallel bars of substantially triangular 10 cross section engageable With the upper surfaces 

